A Conversation with the Production Lead and Front-of-House Engineer for Grammy Award-Winning Artist Burna Boy
Meet Temidayo Oladehin
Temidayo Oladehin is a Nigerian-born sound engineer and music producer, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. Currently, he serves as the Production Lead and Front-of-House (FOH) Engineer for Grammy Award-winning artist Burna Boy.
Childhood Experiences
Temidayo Oladehin’s journey in music began in his childhood, where he was surrounded by the sounds of his church and home. He credits his dad, a renowned chartered accountant, for not allowing him to pursue a career in music, leading him to study Pure and Applied Chemistry. However, music always chose him, and he went on to study Multimedia Design Technology and Business Management.
- University of Calabar: Studied Pure and Applied Chemistry
- University of East London: Studied Multimedia Design Technology and Business Management
- University of Essex: Master’s degree in Business Management
- Canterbury Christ Church University: Master’s in Media
The Power of Preparation
As the Production Lead and Front-of-House (FOH) Engineer for Burna Boy, Temidayo Oladehin emphasizes the importance of preparation in achieving iconic live performances. According to him, it starts way before the crowd shows up, with system checks, soundchecks, rehearsals, and backups for the backups.
“Everything starts somewhere, and I always say it started in church. As you can imagine, I was born in an African home with a dad who was a renowned chartered accountant who never wanted me to have anything to do with music. That’s how I ended up studying Chemistry, even though the goal was to become a Petrochemical engineer. But music always chose me.”
— Temidayo Oladehin
| What Makes a Live Performance Iconic? | Technical perfection is great, but it’s really about moments—when the crowd sings along, when the artist breaks character and smiles, when silence hits just right. As an engineer, your job is to protect those moments and elevate them. |
Technology and Innovation
Technology has revolutionized the music industry, and live performances are no exception. Temidayo Oladehin highlights the impact of digital consoles, virtual soundchecks, wireless setups, and real-time analysis tools in enhancing the live production experience.
- Digital consoles: Allowing for faster and more efficient sound checks
- Virtual soundchecks: Enabling remote soundchecks and reducing setup time
- Wireless setups: Reducing clutter and increasing mobility
- Real-time analysis tools: Enhancing audio quality and reducing errors
Lessons Learned
Temidayo Oladehin shares his experience of trying to do everything alone, a mistake he learned from early in his career. He emphasizes the importance of delegation, trusting others, and effective communication in achieving success.
- Delegation: Delegating tasks and responsibilities to others
- Trust: Trusting others and their expertise
- Communication: Effective communication and collaboration
Passion and Professionalism
Temidayo Oladehin stresses the importance of balancing passion with professionalism. He advises creatives to structure their passion, build systems, and be honest about what it costs.
- Structure your passion: Building systems and setting financial goals
- Be honest about what it costs: Understanding the financial implications of your passion
A Typical Day
Temidayo Oladehin’s typical day is filled with meetings, reviewing production riders, coordinating logistics, rehearsals, tech setups, and late-night troubleshooting. He also makes time for family and personal interests, such as studying and learning from others in the industry.
Conclusion
We would like to thank Temidayo Oladehin for sharing his insights and experiences with us. His conversation has provided valuable lessons for creatives and music professionals alike. We hope this article has inspired you to follow your passion and balance it with professionalism.